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105ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE DRAFT Dec14-17 <br />for review only <br />Guiding Land Use for a Diverse Business Market <br />The Land Use Plan Chapter __ identifies locations for future <br />industrial, retail, and office development based on favorable access <br />to transportation, community nodes, utilities, and the workforce� <br />This plan should be used to guide to identify prime opportunities <br />for development while guiding a diverse and sustainable business <br />environment� To accomplish this, the City will prioritize and guide the <br />development of the following land use categories: <br />Mixed Use <br />Mixed use defines areas of multiple high intensity uses located in close <br />proximity to one another or within a single building� Uses include but <br />are not limited to retail, office, cultural and entertainment while often <br />incorporating elements of housing� This type of land use is key to <br />developing a diverse and attractive business environment, because it <br />provides a vibrant and diverse economic atmosphere that is easy for <br />the public to interact with� <br />Business Parks <br />Business parks are becoming a stronger market as the City’s <br />population of business professionals continues to grow� This, in <br />addition to changing retail markets is leading to a higher demand <br />for office, light manufacturing, light industrial and warehouse space. <br />Business parks are large areas of land where these uses are planned <br />in proximity to one another and served by urban utilities� An additional <br />item of consideration is the City’s increasing senior population which is <br />resulting in an increased demand for medical development� Identifying <br />specific areas for medical and office development will preserve prime <br />retail space along high traffic corridors and best serve the needs of the <br />community� Guiding the development of business parks will diversify <br />the City’s business climate and facilitate growth alongside changing <br />economic markets� <br />Promote Quality Commercial Development <br />The City’s growing population will attract new retail and commercial <br />services� With commercial growth on the horizon, the City is in a good <br />position after not forcing development prematurely� As commercial <br />retail competes with online markets, consumer experience is becoming <br />more important – energetic, scaled and approachable commercial <br />corridors are key to attracting and retaining customers� This means <br />guiding development to orient less around automobile accessibility <br />and more around creating welcoming and interactive commercial <br />environments� The City should continue to require compliance with <br />design and place-making standards, and follow its guiding principle of <br />creating places where people want to live and do business� <br />Build on Industrial Success <br /> Business is strong in the City’s Bald Eagle and Peloquin industrial <br />parks� The City should continue to maintain relationships with these <br />businesses and seek opportunities for industrial expansion� Areas like <br />the 165th street industrial corridor should continue to be identified as <br />potential land for future industrial development� The City should assess <br />feasibility of connections to sewer, water and major transportation <br />corridors when selecting areas for new industrial parks� Through <br />this the City can provide more opportunities to attract new industrial <br />businesses and retain existing operations looking to expand� <br />Image Placeholder